Lakehead Re-Opens Campus Pool – Public Invited to Week-Long Open House

Lakehead University Student Union President David Grad cuts the ceremonial ribbon to declare the pool officially open

(Thunder Bay – June 18, 2009) Following a ten-month renovation process, Lakehead Athletics today opened its doors to the C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse swimming pool during a Grand Re-Opening Celebration and Open House.

Lakehead University President Dr. Fred Gilbert, LUSU President Dave Grad, Athletics Director Tom Warden, Professor Nancy Luckai, and former LUSU President Richard Longtin were on hand for an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a tour of the refurbished portions of the C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse.

The three-stage renovation project began last August following the LUSU orchestrated "Save the Pool" campaign during the 2007-08 school year. In a Student Union referendum that concluded on April 4, 2008, 1,589 Lakehead University students voted overwhelmingly in favour of paying an additional $15 per semester to cover the $2.5M budgeted to refurbish the facility's pool, change rooms, and reception area. Overall, 77% of voters supported the rehabilitation of the facility, which faced eventual closure due to accumulating deferred maintenance needs. The move to rehabilitate the facility received huge support from University faculty and staff, as well as from supporters in the wider community.

Lakehead Athletics Director, Tom Warden, shared his satisfaction with the final result of the renovation process. "I'm happy to have seen the student body support this project throughout the entire process. LUSU did a great job of supporting the renovation as did the University community as a whole. I'd like to acknowledge their efforts and also thank Physical Plant for its good work during this process. Lakehead Athletics is looking forward to providing university students and employees – as well as the broader community – with improved services through this newly renovated facility."

Dave Grad, LUSU President added, "The 'Save the Pool' campaign was a demonstration of democracy in action. Richard (Longtin) and the LUSU team worked closely with stakeholder groups in the University and outside, and we now know that the outcome has led us to this day. Students can be very proud of this facility, knowing that they had a hand in its renewal."

Free Week of Swimming

As part of the week-long re-opening celebrations, Lakehead Athletics is offering free public swimming during regular operational hours from Thursday, June 18, until Thursday, June 25, except weekends. The pool will run its summer schedule until September 4.

For further information, please contact Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications at 343-8372, eabaya@lakeheadu.ca, or Jasmine Durham at 343-8177.

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About LakeheadLakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,900 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca